April 2017

Monday: Read Daniel 1:3-4. Where does life feel out of control? Do you see God at work? He is always present. He is always working to bring good even in the worst of situations. In what area of life do you need to ask to sense His presence and work in your life?

Tuesday: Read John 16:33. Sometimes we find ourselves thrust into Babylon, not by our choice, but because of the actions of others. Jesus predicted such trouble in our world, bad things happening to good people. He faced His own Good Friday. Where in your life do you need to affirm that we are Easter people in a Good Friday world? Where is God calling you to bring His peace in a world filled with trouble?

Wednesday: Read Daniel 1:7. Being in Babylon often causes us to question everything about life, and even about ourselves. Daniel even gets a name change, but never forgets his God-given name. What nicknames are you known by? What name has God given you to describe your life and purpose

Thursday: Read Daniel 1:21. When you find yourself in Babylon, don't forget who you are or whose you are. Daniel will remain in exile through multiple regime changes, and will still define himself by his name. What pulls you away from your identity as God’s child? Today take time to remember your baptism. You are His child. Thank God for the gift of being in His family.

Friday: Read Daniel 1:1-2. God allowed this to happen. He was in control of what seemed to be an out-of-control situation. God had a plan for Daniel, even in the courts of the enemy. Where do you feel life is out of control? Where do you need faith that God is in control?

Saturday: Read Hebrews 12:4. We may not have shed blood for our faith, but perhaps you have shed tears or you have faced social pressure. What pressures you to move against your faith in God? What empowers you to live in tough times with faith that God is in control?

Monday: Read Daniel 3:16-18. Consider and pray for the persecuted Christians around the world. Consider how you would react if forced to do – or not do – something that you knew was against God.

Tuesday: Read Hebrews 11:1-3. Think of some things that you have faith in for which you have no solid physical evidence. How is God glorified when we have faith in that for which we cannot proof?

Wednesday: Read James 1:2-4. If your faith has been tested think of how God was revealed in your passing or not passing the test. How did God bring you to the test? How did God bring you through the test? How were you different afterwards?

Thursday: Read James 2:14-17. Faith is needed in times of trial and in other times – when else do we need faith? What is one of the outcomes of our faith?

Friday: Read Colossians 3:12-14. Some of our most difficult trials are those of broken relationships. What is (supposed to be) different about how believers process relationship problems? Think of a broken or strained relationship that you can apply this verse to. Pray and go act.

Saturday: Read Romans 5: 1-5. What is the relationship between faith and suffering? How can we possibly “glory in our sufferings”? What must we believe? What happens when “God’s love has been poured into our hearts”?

Monday: Read John 20:1-2. What if Jesus' body is missing instead of resurrected? What happens to the Christian faith? What happens to your faith?

Tuesday: Read Romans 8:28. Easter hope sees good news in what seems like bad news because God is present. Where have you experiences the good news of Easter hope amid bad news? Where could you use Easter hope awareness today?

Wednesday: Read John 20:3-8. Fast John beats bold Peter to the tomb. At first, John is curious, Peter theorizes and wonders, and then John sees again and gets it. When did Easter come true for your life.

Thursday: Read John 20:9. Easter brings God's promise into the present. Part of the disciples challenge that first Easter is they forgot Jesus' promises of His death and resurrection. What Easter appearance questions do you have?

Friday: Read John 20:10-15? Mary couldn't see Jesus because of her focus - she's looking for a dead body, not a risen Savior. What hurts your focus on Easter hope? What helps you focus on Easter hope?

Saturday: Read John 20:16-18. As you have read the Easter story this week, what have you heard God speak into your life? How does it feel to have Jesus as your Brother.

Monday: Read John 12:12-13. When are you tempted to tell God what to do? What helps you to keep God in the chair to call the shots in your life?

Tuesday: Read Revelation 7:9-10. How does this glimpse of heaven inspire you for your future life in heaven? How does this glimpse of heaven inspire you for your life here on earth?

Wednesday: Read Psalm 118:25. Hosanna means us “save us now” and “grant us success”. Where are you praying for God to save in your life today?

Thursday: Read Luke 19:41. Why does Jesus weep over Jerusalem? What leads you to weep for our world today? Why? How can you turn those tears into prayers?

Friday: Read John 12:14-15. What message does Jesus send to the crowds with his entrance? How does He fulfill their desires and their needs? How does He fulfill your desires and needs today?

Saturday: Read Philippians 2:6-8. Why was Jesus willing to be thoroughly humiliated? Why did Jesus have to die? In what specific ways is this a gift to receive? An example you can apply? A life changing story you celebrate and share with others?

Monday: Read Psalm 130:1. God is big enough to handle our emotions. When have you cried out to God from the depths? What did God do? Where might you need to cry out of the depths to God in prayer today?

Tuesday: Read John 11:21-22. In verse 21, Martha seems to blame Jesus – “if you had been here”, then in the next verse she holds on to hope with “even now” faith. What leads you to question God’s presence in your life? Where do you need an “even now” faith in God in your life today?

Wednesday: Read John 11:35. Jesus has told Martha that Lazarus will rise from the dead. He has already made his “I am the resurrection and the life” declaration, yet when he gets to the tomb, He weeps. Why? How does Jesus’ grief help you deal with your own grief?

Thursday: Read John 11:25-27. The power of the resurrection is not an event, but a person – Jesus. It’s not just what Jesus does. It’s who He is. What does it mean for your life today that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life? What does it mean for your life eternally that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life? Is there a difference in your answers to both questions? Why or why not?

Friday: Read Psalm 130:7-8. When you think of God’s hand toward you – is it more of an iron fist or an open hand? As you walk through the process of grief, where is your fist closed (hurting yourself and others) and where is your fist open (healing yourself and others)?

Saturday: Read Romans 8:11. When and how do you see the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead living in you? When and how do others see the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead living in you?